Feeding and spacing mechanism for cutting-machines.



N. GRAY, JR. FEEDING AND SPAGING MECHANISM FOR GUTTING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 19, 1912.

1,099,174. Patented June 9,1914.

COLUMBIA PLANOGRAPII (20., WASHINGTON, Bic.

NIEL GRAY, JR., 0F OSWEGO, NEW YORK.

FEEDING AND SPACING MECHANISM FOR CUTTING-MACHINES.

Lfiiltllid.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 9, 1914.

Application filed. September 19, 1912. Serial No. 721,179.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that LNIEL GRAY, Jr., a citizenof the United States, residing at Oswego, in the county of Oswego andState of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Feedingand Spacing Mechanism for Cutting-l/Iachines, of which the following isa specification.

This invention relates to a feeding and spacing mechanism adapted forthe feeding forward of the stock to be cut in a cutting machine intopieces of small dimensions such as the samples of cloth and othermaterials customarily distributed to the trade by large commercialhouses.

My invention is devised to accomplish a progressive feeding forward, afew inches for each cut, of the stock to the knife thereby to permit ofrapidly cutting up large quantities with economy 1n the labor required.

Furthermore my improved mechanism is designed to insure of accurate feedmovements being imparted to the Work and to permit of easily adjustingthe extent of such movements and to provide for the convenient return ofthe parts to rearward position.

The improved mechanism of my invention may readily be embodied in anytype of cutting machine and in the accompanying drawing is illustratedin connection with a paper cutting machine of usual type and thereference numerals of this description indicate corresponding parts inallthe views.

Figure 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cutting'machine havingmy improved feeding mechanism associated therewith and shown inelevation. Fig. 2 is an enlarged elevation of the gripping parts of mydevice with the parts in gripping position. Fig. 3 is a similar viewwith the parts in released position and Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectionalview on lines 4r4c of Fig. 2.

In Fig. 1 I have shown in cross section the standards 2-2 of a cuttingmachine upon which is supported the table 3 for the work to be cut bythe knife 4: which is arranged to descend vertically to the table duringthe cutting stroke in the customary manner. The work to be. out isplaced upon the table to the rear of the knife and is advanced to passforwardly under the knife by a rear gage 6 arranged to slide on thetable rear portion. For the advancement of the gage and the work thegage is provided with depending attachment lugs 8-9 having attachedthereto the ends of the cable 10 of the feeding mechanism wherebymovement is imparted to the gage to cause it to move with relation tothe knife. In its movement the gage is guided by a suitable guide slotin the table, not shown, which is of a well known construction in thistype of machine.

A particularly convenient and desirable manner of handling the stock tobe cut into such small pieces is afforded by placing the lengths ofmaterial upon a series of conveniently sized rectangular cutting boards12--12 desirably of stiff board and adjusting the knife so as to cut thematerial but not to sever the boards, whereby the stock is first outinto strips and the strips on each board may be turned as a unit withthe board to be then cut into a number of small sample pieces. The tablefor the work is of course extended rearwardly to any extent that isdesirable.

The cable 10 here shown to control the movement of the gage and work issupported by front and rear idler wheels 13 and 14 journalod in thebrackets 15 and 16 bolted respectively to the front and to the rear ofthe table 3. These idlers are desirably circumferontially grooved toreceive the cable but it will be readily understood that in;

place of the cable of circular cross section shown any suitableconnection may be made to the gage such as a flat steel tape, a chain ora rod.

For operating the cable to advance the work in the embodiment of myinvention here shown I have provided a desirable arrangement consistingof a pull rod 18 fitted to slide in a bearing in the front bracket 15and having fixed on its front end. a handle 20. At the rear end of thepull rod provision is made for a direct connection to the cable when therod is moved in a forward direction only so that the forward or feedmovement of the rod will be communicated directly to the gage. Aparticularly desirable form of directly connecting the rod and cableforms an important part of the present invention and is hereinafterdescribed.

To control the movement of the operating rod an adiustable splitstop-collar 22 is fitted to slide on the rod 18 to be fixed in adjustedposition thereon by a retaining nut 24. By

this arrangement the movement of the rod will be limited by theengagement of the shoulder of the handle 20 with the front of thebracket 15 on the rearward movement .and by the engagement of the frontof the stop collar 22 with the rear face of the bracket 15 on theforward movement of the rod. Thus by pulling the handle forward from thefront face of the bracket 15 the distance of the desired feed movementsto be given to the work and then setting the adjustable collar 22 inengagement with the bracket rear face and securing it by the retainingnut 24 the successive feed move ments will be so limited and may beaccurately duplicated for each cut.

The form of connecting device shown to couple the rod and cable to movetogether on the forward movement is of simple and substantialconstruction and comprises I a coupling or wedge frame 30 apertured toreceive the cable upon which it slides in its movement with the pull-rod18 to which it is connected by an integral ear 34 fitted to the rod andsecured by the engagement therewith of the retaining nuts 3535 on eachside of the ear. As shown, the couplerframe is formed with an aperture36 providing an inclined surface 37 and exposing a portion of the cableto be engaged by a binding roller 38. Said roller is arranged "withinthe aperture and interposed between the cable and the inclined surface37 so as to effect a positive binding of the frame and the cable on theforward movement of the rod 18 and frame by its wedging action withinthe. smaller 'end' of the aperture 36. This roller is desirably groovedpartially to fitthe. cable and normallyit is forced into wedgingposition by a spring 40 within a recess 41 in the frame. The tension ofthis s rin 40 is controlled b a screwlu 42 as P z; y P 2:

shown. s

From the foregoing and by. reference to Figs. 2 and 3 it will beunderstood that on the forward movement of the frame 30 the roller 38will bind under the action-of the inclined surface 37 to tightly clampthe cable between itself and the upper wall of the cable aperturethereby couplin the frame and cable to move together. 6n the rearwardmovement of the frame the roller 38 will be caused to ride down theinclined surface toward the larger vend of the aperture 36 against theaction of the spring 40 releasing the frame so as to slide freely on thecable in its return movement but to take a renewed grip on the cableimmediately on the succeeding forward movement.

To permit the return of the gage to rearward position or of its beingotherwise moved independent of the mechanism described I provide fortemporarily rendering the binding roller inoperative. For this purpose arelease stirrup 45 is arranged to straddle the frame and is fitted witha pin 46 on its forward'end passing through the slot 47 in the rollerwhereby when it is pulled rearwardly it will move the roller into thereleased position of Fig. 3. The forward face of the frame is formed asshown'with an inclined cam surface 48 engaged'by pin 50 on the stirruptocause the stirrupwhen raised. to pull the roller forwardly out ofengagement with the cable, compressing the spring as shown in Fig. 3. Aforwardly projecting handle 52 isformed on the stir rup for the movementof the stirrup into this raised or release position or for lowering itinto the position of Fig. 2 when the roller is free to be under theinfluence of spring 40.

A small shoulder 54 is-provided onxthe' i 7 roller 38 can not then gripthe cable which is free to move independently. V

Other details of construction hereshown consists in forming an elongatedkey-way'60 in the pull-rod 18 into which a pin (il-of the stop collar 22is fitted for the purpose of preventing the-collar turning on the rod.

The cable is attached to the gage lugs by having one end looped at 62 toengage a hook 63 having a threaded shank 64 passing through the lug andheld by lock-nuts 65-66 whereby the cable is drawn taut. The other cableend is inserted in a hole in the lug 8 and there held by a set screw68securing the cable through an interposed brass plug 69 so as not tobreak the strands of the cable. larger diameter than the pin 46 passingtherethrough so that it will more freely assume its correct position. g

By the mechanism here described the forward or feed movements of theoperating rod, as measured by the adjustment of the collar 22, areaccurately transmitted to the gage and the work, this being insured bythe instantaneous coupling of the frame and cable by the binding rollerunder the action of the spring'which permits of no lost motion.

Having described my invention I claim, 1. A feeding and spacingmechanism for machines of the character described, com

prising a movable gage to advance the work,

a forwardly extending connection from the gage, an operatlng rodarranged to be reioe The slot 47 in the roller. 38 is of ciprocated in adirection parallel to said con-f nection and means operative to couplethe connection and the operating rod on the forward movement of the rodthereby to 1 advance the gage, said means being adapted to permit anindependent return movement of the rod.

2. A feeding and spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed comprising a movable gage to advance the work, a forwardlyextendin connection from the gage, a coupling mem ber supported to slideon said connection, and an operating rod arranged to be reciprocatedparallel to said. connection and having the coupling member securedthereto, and said coupling member being adapted to couple the connectionand the operating rod to be moved together on the forward movement ofthe rod.

3. A feeding and spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed comprising a movable gage to advance the work, a forwardlyextending connection from the gage, a coupling member supported to slideon said connection, an operating rod arranged to be reciprocatedparallel to said connection and having the coupling member securedthereto, said coupling member being adapted to couple the connection andthe operating rod to be moved together on the forward movement of therod and an adjustable stop on the operating rod to limit the feedmovements.

4. A feeding and spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed, comprising a movable gage to advance the work, a forwardlyextending connection from the gage, a coupling frame slidablelongitudinally of the connection, an operating rod secured to thecoupling frame whereby it is reciprocated and a binding element arranged within the frame to cause the coupling of the frame andconnection to be moved together on the forward movement of the rod.

5. A feeding and spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed, comprising a movable gage to advance the work, a forwardlyextending connection from the gage, a coupling frame slidablelongitudinally of the connection, an operating rod secured to thecoupling frame whereby it is reciprocated, a binding element arrangedwithin the frame to cause the coupling of the frame and connection to bemoved together on the forward movement of the rod and a releasing handleconnected to said binding element for the withdrawal of said elementfrom operative position.

6. A feeding and, spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed comprising a movable gage, a connection forwardly extendingfrom the gage, an operating rod arranged to reciprocate parallel to thegage connection, a coupling frame attached to said rod, a surface onsaid frame being inclined with relation to the gage connection, abinding element interposed between the inclined surface and the gageconnection and a spring arranged normally to force the binding elementinto wcdging position to couple the frame and connection to movetogether when the frame is moved in one direction.

7. A feeding and spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed comprising a movable gage to advance the work, a fori'ardlyextending connection from the gage, a coupling frame supported to slideon said connection, an operating rod supported to be reciprocatcdparallel to said connection and having the coupling frame securedthereto, said coupling frame being formed with an aperture providing asurface inclined with relation to the gage connection, a binding rollerinterposed between said inclined surface and the gage connection toeffect the coupling of said frame and connection to move together whenthe frame is moved in one direction and a spring arranged within thecoupler frame normally to force the binding roller into bindingposition.

8. A feeding and spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed comprising a movable gage to advance the work, a forwardlyextending connection from the gage, a coupling frame supported to slideon said connection, an operating rod supported to be rcciprocatedparallel to said connection and having the coupling frame securedthereto, said coupling frame being formed with an aperture providing asurface inclined with relation to the gage connection, a binding rollerwithin the aperture interposed between the inclined surface and the gageconnection to effect the coupling of said frame and connection to movetogether when the frame is moved in one direction, a spring arrangedwithin the coupler frame normally to force the binding roller intobinding )osition, a release handle attached to said roller, a retainingshoulder on the frame and an opposing projection on the release handleto engage said shoulder so as to retain the roller in inoperativeposition.

9. A feeding and spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed comprising a movable gage to advance the work, pulley wheelssuitably journaled, a flexible connection carried on said pulleys andconnected to the gage, a coupling frame supported to slide on saidconnection, an operating rod supported to be reciprocated parallel tosaid connection and having the coupling frame secured thereto, saidcoupling frame being formed with an aperture providing a surfaceinclined with relation to the gage connection, a binding roller withinthe aperture interposed between the inclined surface and the gageconnection to effect the coupling of said frame and connection to movetogether when the frame is moved in one direction, a spring arrangedwithln the coupler frame normally to force the binding roller intobinding position, a

release handle attached to said roller, a re taining shoulder on theframe, an opposing projection on the release handle to engage saidshoulder so as to retain the roller in inoperativeposition and opposedstops in the frame to limit the movement of the release handle. r n

10. A feeding and spacing mechanism for machines of the characterdescribed, comprising a movable gage to advance the WOIk,' a forwardlyextending connection from the gage, an operating. rod arranged to bereciprocated in a direction parallel to said 'eonnectiom' meansoperative to couple the connection and vthe operating rod to movetogether on the forward movement of the rod to advance the" gage saidmeans being adapted to permit an independent return movement of the rodand releasing, means adapted to render the coupling means inoperativethereby to release the gage connections.

In testimony whereof I have signed Copies of this patent may be obtainedfor five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents;

Washington, D. G.

